InsightMaps

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Map Application Guide ​

InsightMaps is a professional web-based GIS platform built on ArcGIS JS API with advanced spatial analysis, editing, and visualization capabilities. This guide covers all user-facing features for GIS professionals.

[IMAGE: InsightMaps application interface overview showing map view, layer panel, and tools]

Quick Start ​

Access the Application ​

URL: https://map.insightmaps.app

System Requirements:

  • Modern web browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari)
  • Internet connection for basemap tiles
  • Recommended: 1920x1080 resolution or higher

Login (Optional):

  • Click Login button (top right)
  • Use email/password or OAuth (Google, GitHub)
  • Benefits of logging in:
    • Save bookmarks permanently
    • Store custom geometries
    • Access user-specific layers
    • Sync preferences across devices

Anonymous Use:

  • Full mapping functionality available
  • Session-based bookmarks (lost on browser close)
  • Temporary geometry storage

Interface Overview ​

[IMAGE: Annotated screenshot showing main interface elements]

Main Components ​

1. Map View (Center)

  • Interactive map display
  • Pan: Click and drag
  • Zoom: Mouse wheel, double-click, or pinch gesture
  • Rotate: Ctrl+drag (optional)

2. Left Panel (Collapsible)

  • Add Layers: Browse and add data sources
  • Layer List: Manage visible layers
  • Tools: Access analysis and editing tools
  • Search: Find locations and features

3. Top Toolbar

  • Quick access to common tools
  • Login/user profile
  • Help and settings
  • Print and export

4. Bottom Panel (Context-sensitive)

  • Analysis results
  • Feature tables
  • Charts and statistics
  • Dockable or dialog mode

5. Map Controls

  • Home button (reset extent)
  • Zoom in/out buttons
  • Scale bar
  • Coordinate display
  • Grid toggle
  • Basemap selector

Core Mapping Features ​

Basemaps ​

Purpose: Leveraging the capacity of ArcGIS JS API, InsightMaps provides professional-quality background maps that give your data meaningful context. Choose from topographic, satellite, street, and terrain views to best visualize your spatial information.

What You Can Do:

  • Switch between multiple professionally-designed basemaps instantly
  • Adjust transparency to make your data stand out
  • Use satellite imagery for property analysis or topographic views for planning

How to Change Basemap:

  1. Click Basemap button (bottom right or top toolbar)
  2. Select from available basemaps:
    • Topographic: Detailed terrain features, roads, and labels
    • Satellite imagery: High-resolution aerial photos
    • Streets: Clean road-focused view
    • Terrain: Elevation and landform visualization
    • Custom layers: Organization-specific basemaps
  3. Basemap loads immediately with smooth transitions

[IMAGE: Basemap selector showing available options]

Basemap Controls:

  • Opacity: Adjust basemap transparency to highlight your overlay data
  • Toggle: Show/hide basemap to focus entirely on your data layers

Why This Helps: Professional basemaps provide essential geographic context, helping you orient your data, communicate locations clearly, and make informed spatial decisions.

Layer Management ​

Purpose: Leveraging ArcGIS JS API's powerful layer system, InsightMaps lets you combine multiple data sources on a single map, giving you complete control over what you see and how you see it.

What You Get:

  • Organize complex datasets visually
  • Control which information displays at any time
  • Combine data from different sources for comprehensive analysis
  • Save and restore your perfect layer configuration

[IMAGE: Layer panel showing layer list with visibility toggles]

Add Layers:

  1. Click Add Layers button (left panel)
  2. Browse organized categories:
    • Planning & Development
    • Infrastructure & Assets
    • Environmental
    • Property & Cadastre
    • Emergency Management
    • (Categories configured by your admin)
  3. Check the box next to any layer to add it
  4. Layer appears instantly in your Layer List and on the map

Layer Controls - Fine-tune your view:

  • 👁️ Visibility: Eye icon to instantly show/hide layers
  • Opacity: Slider (0-100%) to make layers transparent, revealing data underneath
  • Reorder: Drag layers up/down to control which appears on top
  • Zoom to layer: Right-click → Zoom to Extent to see the full data coverage

Layer Actions Menu (⋮) - Get more from your data:

  • Zoom to layer extent: See the complete geographic coverage
  • Open attribute table: View all data records in table format
  • Apply filter: Show only features meeting your criteria
  • Export layer data: Download for use in other software
  • Refresh layer: Get the latest updates from the source
  • Layer properties: View technical details and metadata
  • Remove from map: Clean up your workspace

Sublayers - Work with complex datasets:

  • Expand parent layers to reveal individual sublayers
  • Toggle sublayers independently (e.g., show only specific road types)
  • Each sublayer has its own visibility and opacity controls

Why This Helps: Layer management gives you the power to build custom views for any task—whether you're analyzing development impacts, planning infrastructure, or responding to emergencies. Only see what you need, when you need it.

Link: Full Layer Management documentation

Search & Location Finding ​

Purpose: Powered by ArcGIS JS API's intelligent search capabilities, InsightMaps helps you find any location instantly—whether you're looking for an address, a specific property, or geographic coordinates.

What You Can Do:

  • Find locations in seconds instead of manually panning and zooming
  • Search by address, property details, or coordinates
  • Jump directly to areas of interest
  • Get instant information about found locations

Search Box (top of map):

  1. Start typing an address, place name, or property identifier
  2. Smart autocomplete suggestions appear as you type
  3. Click any result to instantly zoom to that location
  4. The location is highlighted on the map with detailed information

[IMAGE: Search box with autocomplete suggestions]

Search Sources - Multiple ways to find what you need:

  • Address Geocoding: Find any street address

    • Example: "123 Main St, Hobart TAS"
    • Works with full or partial addresses
    • Supports all Australian address formats

  • Layer Feature Search: Search by property attributes

    • Example: Search by parcel number, road name, or asset ID
    • Searches across all searchable layers configured by your admin
    • Find specific features even without knowing their location

  • Coordinate Search: Navigate to exact coordinates

    • Format: X, Y (e.g., 550000, 5300000)
    • Supports WGS84, GDA2020, and MGA zones
    • Perfect for GPS coordinates or survey data

  • What3Words: Three-word location codes (if enabled)

    • Global standard for precise location sharing

Search Results - Get instant answers:

  • Result highlighted clearly on the map
  • Info popup displays relevant details
  • Custom symbol marks the exact location
  • Multiple results? Use arrows to navigate between them

Why This Helps: Instead of spending time manually searching the map, find any location instantly. Perfect for emergency response, property lookups, site visits, or customer inquiries.

Link: Full Search documentation

Spatial Analysis Tools ​

Area Summary ​

Purpose: Leveraging ArcGIS JS API's advanced geometry and analysis capabilities, this tool answers the question "What's in this area?" instantly. Draw any shape on the map and get comprehensive statistics about everything inside it.

What You Get:

  • Instant answers to "how many" questions without manual counting
  • Professional reports showing feature counts and statistics
  • Exportable results for presentations and decision-making
  • Time savings - analyze thousands of features in seconds

[IMAGE: Area Summary panel with drawn area and results table]

How to Use:

  1. Click Area Summary tool (left panel or toolbar)
  2. Draw your analysis area using simple tools:
    • Rectangle: Click two opposite corners (fastest for regular areas)
    • Circle: Click center, drag to set radius (perfect for buffer zones)
    • Polygon: Click points to create custom shapes, double-click to finish
    • Freehand: Click and drag to trace irregular boundaries
  3. Select which layers to analyze: Check the layers you want included
  4. View instant results in the results table:
    • Layer name and description
    • Count of features within your area
    • Attribute statistics (totals, averages - if configured)
    • Total area measured
  5. Export your findings:
    • Download results table as CSV for reports
    • Export actual features as Shapefile/GeoJSON/KML for further analysis
  6. Explore details: Click any feature in results to highlight it on the map

Real-World Examples:

  • Development Planning: Count properties within a proposed development zone
  • Environmental Analysis: Summarize land use types within a catchment area
  • Infrastructure Assessment: Calculate total road length in a maintenance region
  • Asset Management: Inventory all council assets within a service area
  • Emergency Response: Identify all buildings in a flood-affected zone

Why This Helps: Make data-driven decisions with confidence. Instead of rough estimates, get precise counts and measurements that support your planning, reporting, and analysis needs.

Link: Full Spatial Analysis documentation

Advanced Spatial Analysis ​

Purpose: Built on ArcGIS JS API's professional GIS engine, these tools bring sophisticated spatial analysis to your browser. Answer complex geographic questions that would otherwise require expensive desktop GIS software.

What You Get:

  • Professional-grade analysis without specialized software
  • Accurate results accounting for Earth's curvature when needed
  • Multiple analysis methods for different questions
  • Ready-to-use outputs in formats other software can read

[IMAGE: Spatial Analysis panel showing buffer operation]

Analysis Operations - Solve real spatial problems:

1. Buffer - "What's within a distance?"

  • What it does: Creates zones around features at a specified distance
  • Choose your method:
    • Geodetic (accounts for Earth's curvature - accurate for large areas)
    • Planar (fastest for small areas)
  • Example use: Find all properties within 500 meters of a proposed road
  • Why it helps: Identify impact zones, service areas, and proximity relationships

2. Intersect - "What overlaps?"

  • What it does: Finds features that overlap with your area of interest
  • Result: Only the overlapping portions are returned
  • Example use: Which parcels intersect a flood zone (showing only the flooded portions)
  • Why it helps: Precise impact assessment and area calculations

3. Contains - "What's completely inside?"

  • What it does: Finds features entirely within your boundary
  • Excludes: Partial overlaps (stricter than intersect)
  • Example use: Which buildings are completely within a park boundary
  • Why it helps: Strict inclusion testing for regulatory compliance

4. Within Distance - "What's nearby?"

  • What it does: Finds features within a specified distance of your area
  • Smart buffering: Automatically buffers target features
  • Example use: Find all schools within 2km of a new development
  • Why it helps: Proximity analysis for services, amenities, and planning

Advanced Options - Fine-tune your analysis:

  • Pre-filter data: Use WHERE clauses to analyze only specific features
  • Multi-layer comparison: Compare one layer against another
  • Attribute statistics: Get totals, averages, and counts for numeric fields
  • Flexible export: Choose your format and coordinate system

Why This Helps: Answer questions like "how many?", "how far?", and "where?" with professional accuracy. Support development applications, environmental assessments, emergency planning, and infrastructure management with data-backed analysis.

Link: Full Spatial Analysis documentation

Measurement Tools ​

Purpose: Using ArcGIS JS API's professional surveying-grade calculations, get accurate distance and area measurements that account for Earth's curvature—the same precision used in professional GIS applications.

What You Get:

  • Survey-accurate measurements for official reporting
  • Real-time results as you draw
  • Multiple unit support for any audience
  • Geodetic accuracy for large areas

[IMAGE: Measurement tool showing distance and area calculations]

Distance Measurement - "How far is it?"

  1. Click Measure tool
  2. Select Distance mode
  3. Click your starting point on the map
  4. Click waypoints to follow roads, boundaries, or routes
  5. Double-click to finish
  6. Instant result in your chosen units

Area Measurement - "How big is it?"

  1. Click Measure tool
  2. Select Area mode
  3. Click polygon corners to outline your area
  4. Double-click to close the shape
  5. Instant result showing total area

Supported Units - Speak your audience's language:

  • Distance: meters, kilometers, miles, feet, nautical miles
  • Area: square meters, hectares, square kilometers, acres, square miles

Smart Features:

  • Geodetic calculation: Accounts for Earth's curvature on large areas (professional accuracy)
  • Real-time updates: See measurements update as you draw
  • Feature snapping: Lock to existing boundaries when enabled
  • Clear button: Start fresh measurements anytime

Real-World Uses:

  • Measure property boundaries for development applications
  • Calculate road distances for maintenance planning
  • Determine catchment areas for environmental studies
  • Estimate project costs based on area
  • Verify distances for regulatory compliance

Why This Helps: No need for site visits with measuring wheels or estimating from aerial photos. Get professional-grade measurements instantly from your desk, accurate enough for official reports and planning documents.

Drawing & Geometry Editing ​

Purpose: Powered by ArcGIS JS API's professional drawing and geometry engine, create, edit, and analyze geographic features with the same tools used in desktop GIS software—all in your browser.

What You Get:

  • Professional drawing tools for marking up maps
  • 13 geometry operations for spatial analysis
  • Precision editing with snapping and measurements
  • Export capabilities to share your work
  • No specialized software needed

[IMAGE: MapEditor panel showing geometry operations]

Create Geometries - Mark up your map:

  1. Click MapEditor tool
  2. Select what to draw:
    • Point: Mark locations, assets, or incidents
    • Polyline: Draw roads, pipelines, or routes
    • Polygon: Outline areas, zones, or boundaries
    • Text: Add labels and annotations
  3. Customize appearance:
    • Choose colors (fill and outline) for visibility
    • Adjust size/width for clarity
    • Select symbol styles for different feature types
    • Add descriptive labels

13 Geometry Operators - Professional GIS capabilities:

Topology Operations - Combine and compare shapes:

  • Union: Merge multiple areas into one (e.g., combine adjacent parcels)
  • Intersection: Find where areas overlap (e.g., shared boundaries)
  • Difference: Subtract one area from another (e.g., exclude protected zones)
  • Cut: Divide areas with a line (e.g., split parcels by road centerline)

Modification - Transform your geometries:

  • Buffer: Create zones around features (e.g., 100m setback areas)
    • Geodetic option for large areas (accounts for Earth's curvature)
    • Planar option for speed on small areas
  • Simplify: Reduce complexity while preserving shape (cleaner outputs)

Analysis & Measurement - Get precise information:

  • Centroid: Find the center point (e.g., label placement)
  • Contains: Test if a point is inside an area (e.g., jurisdiction checks)
  • Area: Calculate planar area for small regions
  • Geodetic Area: Professional area calculation for large regions
  • Length: Calculate planar length for distances
  • Geodetic Length: Professional distance calculation for accuracy

Projection - Work with any coordinate system:

  • Project: Transform between coordinate systems (WGS84, GDA2020, MGA zones)

Snapping - Precision editing:

  • Enable snapping to align perfectly with existing features
  • Set snap tolerance for your needs
  • Snap to points, lines, or polygon boundaries
  • Avoid gaps and overlaps in your data

Graphics Organization - Manage complex projects:

  • Name and organize geometry groups
  • Toggle group visibility to focus on specific features
  • Layer graphics for complex edits
  • Copy and paste geometries to save time

Export Your Work - Share and use elsewhere:

  • Export as Shapefile (for ArcGIS, QGIS)
  • Export as GeoJSON (web-friendly format)
  • Export as KML (for Google Earth)
  • Choose your coordinate system
  • Include or exclude text labels

Real-World Applications:

  • Proposal planning: Draw development boundaries and buffer zones
  • Field mapping: Mark asset locations and site boundaries
  • Emergency response: Delineate incident areas and evacuation zones
  • Environmental studies: Outline study areas and exclusion zones
  • Presentations: Create annotated maps for reports and meetings

Why This Helps: Create professional-quality geographic data without expensive CAD or GIS software. Your work is instantly shareable and compatible with industry-standard formats.

Link: Full MapEditor documentation

Data Visualization ​

Chart Visualization ​

Purpose: Leveraging ArcGIS JS API's charting capabilities, transform complex geographic data into easy-to-understand visual stories. Make your spatial data speak to non-technical audiences through professional charts and graphs.

What You Get:

  • Clear communication of spatial patterns and trends
  • Professional visualizations ready for reports and presentations
  • Data-driven insights that support decision-making
  • Interactive exploration that updates with your map

[IMAGE: Chart panel showing bar chart of land use statistics]

Chart Types - Choose the right visualization:

  • Bar Chart: Compare categories (e.g., asset counts by type)
  • Pie Chart: Show proportions (e.g., land use percentages)
  • Line Chart: Visualize trends (e.g., changes over time or distance)
  • Scatter Plot: Reveal correlations (e.g., price vs. size relationships)
  • Radar Chart: Compare multiple variables (e.g., service coverage across areas)

Create Your Chart - Simple 6-step process:

  1. Click Charts tool
  2. Select your Chart Type (bar, pie, line, etc.)
  3. Configure your data:
    • Layer: Choose which data to visualize
    • Category field: What to group by (X-axis)
    • Value field: What to measure (Y-axis)
    • Aggregation: How to summarize (Sum, Count, Average, Min, Max)
  4. Filter data (optional): Show only features you care about
  5. Customize appearance for impact:
    • Choose colors that match your organization or highlight key findings
    • Add clear labels for readability
    • Position legend for best layout
    • Set meaningful axis titles
  6. Add multiple series: Overlay data from different layers for comparison

Real-World Applications:

  • Land use analysis: Show distribution of zoning types
  • Demographic reports: Compare population across suburbs
  • Asset management: Visualize infrastructure counts by category
  • Performance dashboards: Track metrics spatially
  • Impact assessments: Compare before/after scenarios

Export Options - Share your insights:

  • Download chart as PNG image for reports and presentations
  • Export underlying data as CSV for further analysis
  • Include in professional documentation

Why This Helps: Numbers in tables are hard to interpret. Charts make patterns obvious and decisions clear. Perfect for council reports, stakeholder presentations, grant applications, and executive summaries.

Link: Full Chart Visualization documentation

Feature Table ​

Purpose: Built on ArcGIS JS API's data management capabilities, view and work with thousands of features in a familiar spreadsheet-like interface. Connect the map view to tabular data seamlessly.

What You Get:

  • Spreadsheet familiarity for non-GIS users
  • Bidirectional linking between table and map (select in one, see in both)
  • High performance handling of large datasets
  • Data verification and quality checking

[IMAGE: Feature table showing attribute data in tabular format]

Access:

  1. Right-click any layer → Open Attribute Table
  2. Or click Feature Table tool in toolbar

Interactive Features - Work with your data:

  • Sort: Click any column header to sort ascending/descending
  • Filter: Use search box to find specific records instantly
  • Select: Click any row to highlight that feature on the map
  • Multi-select: Ctrl+click to select multiple features at once
  • Column control: Show only the fields you need
  • Resize columns: Drag borders to fit content

Actions - Do more with your selections:

  • Zoom to selected: Right-click → Zoom to Selection (see where features are)
  • Export selected: Right-click → Export Selected Features (download for analysis)
  • Clear selection: Start fresh with Clear button
  • Refresh data: Reload from source to get latest updates

Performance Optimized:

  • Virtual scrolling: Handle 10,000+ features smoothly
  • Smart pagination: Navigate huge datasets efficiently
  • Lazy loading: Load only visible data for speed

Real-World Uses:

  • Data verification: Check attribute accuracy before field visits
  • Record lookup: Find specific parcels, assets, or features quickly
  • Selection by attribute: Identify all features meeting criteria
  • Export workflows: Download filtered results for reporting
  • Quality control: Review data completeness and accuracy

Why This Helps: Some people think in tables, others think in maps. Feature Table bridges both worlds, letting you work however you're comfortable while keeping everything connected.

Advanced Features ​

Imagery Tools ​

Purpose: Leveraging ArcGIS JS API's advanced raster processing engine, unlock professional remote sensing and terrain analysis capabilities. Perform analyses that normally require specialized software like ERDAS or ENVI—directly in your browser.

What You Get:

  • Professional imagery analysis without expensive software licenses
  • Real-time visualization of complex calculations
  • Environmental insights from satellite and aerial imagery
  • Terrain intelligence for planning and engineering
  • Scientific-grade outputs for reporting and decision-making

[IMAGE: Imagery panel showing NDVI visualization]

Access: Click Imagery tool (available when ImageServer or raster layers are on the map)

Raster Functions - Powerful analysis tools:

1. NDVI (Vegetation Index) - Monitor environmental health:

  • What it does: Calculates vegetation health from satellite imagery
  • How to use: Select Red and Near-Infrared (NIR) bands, choose color scheme
  • What you see: Color-coded map showing vegetation vigor
    • -1 (blue) = Water bodies
    • 0 (tan) = Bare soil/rock
    • +1 (green) = Healthy, dense vegetation
  • Use for: Agriculture monitoring, environmental assessments, urban planning, bushfire risk

2. Hillshade - Visualize terrain in 3D effect:

  • What it does: Creates realistic terrain relief visualization
  • Controls:
    • Azimuth (0-360°): Direction of sunlight (315° = northwest sun)
    • Altitude (0-90°): Sun angle (45° = afternoon sun)
    • Z-factor: Vertical exaggeration for dramatic effect
  • Use for: Landform analysis, viewshed studies, presentation maps, understanding topography

3. Slope - Analyze terrain steepness:

  • What it does: Calculates how steep the ground is
  • Output: Degrees (0-90°) or percent (0-100%+)
  • Visualization: Color ramps highlight steep vs. flat areas
  • Use for: Building suitability, erosion risk, road planning, drainage analysis

4. Aspect - Determine slope direction:

  • What it does: Shows which compass direction slopes face
  • Output: 0-360° (0 = North, 90 = East, 180 = South, 270 = West)
  • Use for: Solar panel placement, microclimate analysis, agricultural planning

Pixel Filtering - Focus on what matters:

  • Value range filters: Show only pixels within specified ranges
  • Classification: Group pixel values into categories
  • Masking: Hide irrelevant areas (e.g., clouds, water)
  • NoData handling: Control how missing data appears

Band Selection - Create custom visualizations:

  • Single band: Grayscale imagery for focus on one variable
  • RGB composite: True color images (bands 3,2,1 = natural color)
  • False color: Highlight features invisible to human eye
  • Custom band math: Create custom indices and calculations

Statistics - Understand your data:

  • Band statistics: Min, max, mean, standard deviation
  • Histogram display: Visualize data distribution
  • Distribution analysis: Identify outliers and patterns

Multidimensional Data - Analyze change over time:

  • Time series support: View temporal changes
  • Temporal animation: Play through time periods
  • Variable selection: Temperature, precipitation, NDVI over time

Identify Tool - Inspect individual pixels:

  • Click any pixel to see its exact values
  • View all band values simultaneously
  • Get coordinate information
  • Perfect for ground-truthing and verification

Real-World Applications:

  • Environmental monitoring: Track vegetation changes, wetland health, deforestation
  • Agriculture: Assess crop health, irrigation effectiveness, yield prediction
  • Urban planning: Analyze development suitability, heat islands, green space
  • Engineering: Evaluate slope stability, drainage patterns, cut-and-fill
  • Emergency management: Flood risk assessment, erosion monitoring, fire danger
  • Scientific research: Land cover classification, climate studies, habitat mapping

Why This Helps: Extract actionable intelligence from imagery that would otherwise just be pretty pictures. Support environmental compliance, optimize resource management, and make evidence-based decisions with satellite and aerial data.

Filtering & Querying ​

Purpose: Leveraging ArcGIS JS API's powerful query engine, focus on exactly the data you need. Instead of overwhelming maps with thousands of features, show only what matters for your current task.

What You Get:

  • Clarity - see only relevant features, reducing visual clutter
  • Performance - faster rendering with fewer features displayed
  • Precision - work with exact subsets of data
  • Insights - answer "show me all..." questions instantly
  • Export options - download filtered results for reporting

[IMAGE: Filter panel showing query builder interface]

Three Filtering Modes - Choose your comfort level:

1. Quick Filter (Simple) - Perfect for straightforward questions:

  • Select attribute field to filter on (e.g., "Status", "Year", "Type")
  • Choose operator: =, ≠, >, <, ≥, ≤, contains, starts with
  • Enter value to match against
  • Apply instantly - map updates immediately
  • Example: Show only buildings with "Status = Under Construction"

2. Visual Query Builder (Advanced) - Complex queries made easy:

  • Drag-and-drop conditions for intuitive building
  • Combine with AND/OR logic (e.g., "old AND expensive" vs "residential OR commercial")
  • Nested conditions for sophisticated filtering
  • Multiple fields in one filter
  • Preview results before applying

3. SQL Mode (Expert) - Full control for GIS professionals:

  • Write standard SQL WHERE clauses directly
  • Full SQL syntax support for complex expressions
  • Test expressions with syntax highlighting
  • Example: YEAR >= 2020 AND STATUS = 'Active' AND AREA > 1000

Instant Statistics - Understand your filtered data:

  • Feature count: How many match your criteria
  • Numeric summaries: Sum, Average, Min, Max for any field
  • Distribution analysis: Count by category

Export Filtered Results - Work with your subset:

  • Download only features matching your filter
  • Formats: Shapefile, GeoJSON, KML, CSV
  • Field selection: Include only columns you need
  • Perfect for regulatory reports or targeted analysis

Real-World Applications:

  • Asset management: Show only infrastructure due for replacement this year
  • Development tracking: Display building permits by status or timeframe
  • Compliance monitoring: Identify all features not meeting criteria
  • Maintenance planning: Filter by condition rating or last inspection date
  • Emergency response: Show only critical infrastructure in affected areas
  • Property analysis: Find all parcels meeting zoning and size criteria
  • Environmental monitoring: Display sites exceeding threshold values

Why This Helps: Stop scrolling through thousands of irrelevant features. Filters let you ask precise questions and get immediate answers, making your analysis faster and more accurate.

Link: Full Advanced Filtering documentation

Bookmarks ​

Purpose: Built on ArcGIS JS API's state management, save and instantly restore complete map configurations. Stop repeating the same navigation and layer setup—save once, reuse forever.

What You Get:

  • One-click access to frequently-used map views
  • Save hours of repetitive navigation and layer toggling
  • Consistency in recurring analyses and reports
  • Shareable configurations for team collaboration
  • Organizational standards through admin-created bookmarks

[IMAGE: Bookmark panel showing saved bookmarks list]

Create Your Bookmarks - Capture the perfect view:

  1. Set up your ideal map:
    • Navigate to your area of interest
    • Turn on relevant layers
    • Set layer opacity and order
    • Choose appropriate basemap
    • Zoom to the right scale
  2. Click Bookmarks → Save Current View
  3. Add details for easy retrieval:
    • Name: Descriptive title (e.g., "CBD Development Sites", "Northern Region Assets")
    • Description: Optional notes about purpose or context
    • Thumbnail: System auto-captures a preview image
  4. What gets saved:
    • Exact map center and zoom level
    • Active basemap
    • All layer visibility states
    • Layer opacity settings
    • Authenticated users: Saved permanently to your account
    • Anonymous users: Saved for browser session

Use Bookmarks - Instant map configuration:

  1. Click Bookmarks button
  2. Browse your saved bookmarks (with thumbnail previews)
  3. Click any bookmark
  4. Map instantly restores exactly as you saved it - all layers, extent, and settings

Bookmark Management - Organize your library:

  • Favorite: Star important bookmarks to keep them at the top
  • Edit: Update name or description as needs change
  • Delete: Remove outdated bookmarks
  • Share: Copy shareable URL to send exact map view to colleagues (authenticated users)

Admin-Created Bookmarks - Organizational standards:

  • Preset views created by administrators for common tasks
  • Organization-wide defaults ensuring everyone starts from the same place
  • Standard analysis areas (e.g., council wards, service zones, emergency sectors)

Real-World Uses:

  • Recurring reports: Save the exact view needed for monthly/quarterly reports
  • Project monitoring: Bookmark development sites for regular check-ins
  • Emergency response: Preset views for different incident types and zones
  • Team onboarding: Share bookmarks with new staff for standard workflows
  • Public consultations: Create bookmarks for different proposal areas
  • Asset inspection routes: Save views for different maintenance schedules
  • Regulatory compliance: Standard views for different permit types

Why This Helps: Stop wasting time recreating the same map configurations. With bookmarks, you and your team can jump straight into productive work every time you open InsightMaps.

Upload & Import Data ​

Purpose: Leveraging ArcGIS JS API's versatile data readers, bring your own data into InsightMaps from GPS devices, field apps, consultants, or legacy systems. Work with industry-standard formats without conversion hassles.

What You Get:

  • Universal compatibility with common GIS formats
  • Automatic projection handling - no manual conversion needed
  • Instant visualization of your data
  • Integration with existing layers for combined analysis
  • No data silos - work with data from any source

[IMAGE: Upload dialog showing supported file formats]

Supported Formats - Bring data from anywhere:

  • Shapefile (.zip): Industry standard from ArcGIS, QGIS, AutoCAD
  • KML/KMZ: Google Earth exports, field mapping apps
  • GeoJSON (.json, .geojson): Web apps, modern GIS tools
  • GPX (.gpx): GPS devices, fitness trackers, survey equipment
  • CSV (.csv): Spreadsheets with coordinates (Excel, asset databases)

Simple Upload Process:

  1. Click Upload button (toolbar or menu)
  2. Drop your file or browse to select it
  3. Automatic smart detection:
    • Format automatically recognized
    • Coordinate system detected from file metadata
    • Data validated for completeness
  4. Preview your data before adding:
    • See feature count (how many points, lines, or polygons)
    • Confirm geometry type
    • Review attribute fields
    • Check geographic extent
  5. Projection handling (if needed):
    • System auto-detects projection when available
    • Choose manually if ambiguous
    • Data automatically converted to map projection
  6. Instant results:
    • Layer added to map immediately
    • Appropriate symbol style applied
    • Appears in Layer List for management

File Requirements:

  • Size limit: 50MB per file (configurable by admin)
  • Shapefile: Must be zipped with .shp, .dbf, .shx, .prj files
  • CSV: Must have coordinate columns (X/Long and Y/Lat)

After Upload - Keep working with your data:

  • Edit geometry using MapEditor tools
  • Change symbology to match your needs
  • Save current view as bookmark
  • Re-export to different format for sharing
  • Combine with organizational layers for analysis

Real-World Uses:

  • Consultant deliverables: Import site survey shapefiles
  • Field data: Bring in GPS waypoints from site visits
  • Asset inventories: Upload CSV from asset management system
  • Public submissions: Import development proposal boundaries
  • Historical data: Add legacy GIS files to modern maps
  • Collaboration: Share KML files with Google Earth users

Why This Helps: Break down data silos. Instead of maintaining separate systems for different data sources, bring everything into one map for comprehensive analysis and decision-making.

Purpose: Powered by ArcGIS JS API's professional cartographic engine, create publication-quality maps and export data for sharing. Your web maps become presentation-ready documents and shareable datasets.

What You Get:

  • Professional map layouts ready for reports and presentations
  • High-resolution outputs suitable for printing and publishing
  • Flexible formats for different audiences
  • Data portability to other software and platforms
  • Official documentation with proper attribution

[IMAGE: Print panel showing layout options]

Create Professional Maps:

  1. Click Print tool to start
  2. Choose your layout based on use:
    • A4 Portrait/Landscape: Standard reports, letter-size printing
    • A3 Portrait/Landscape: Presentations, larger detail
    • A2 Portrait: Wall maps, public displays, large-format printing
    • MapOnly: Clean map image without decoration
  3. Customize your map:
    • Title: Clear, descriptive main heading
    • Subtitle: Add context, date, or project name
    • Legend: Show/hide (automatic layer legend generation)
    • Scale bar: Display map scale
    • Copyright/attribution: Automatically included per data license requirements
  4. Select output format:
    • PDF: Best for printing, archiving (vector quality, scalable)
    • PNG32: Web use, presentations (supports transparency)
    • PNG8: Smaller files for email, web (compressed)
    • JPG: Smallest files for quick sharing
  5. Generate and download:
    • Progress indicator shows processing
    • Typically ready in 5-30 seconds
    • Download opens automatically when complete

Print Tips for Best Results:

  • Simplify first: Hide unnecessary layers to reduce clutter
  • Adjust opacity: Make your data stand out against the basemap
  • Choose contrasting basemaps: Light Gray Canvas for colored data, Dark Gray for light symbols
  • Be patient with large formats: A2 maps with many layers take longer but deliver stunning results

Export Data - Share your analysis:

  • Individual layers: Right-click any layer → Export (get a copy of organizational data)
  • Analysis results: Export from any analysis panel (document your findings)
  • User graphics: Export from MapEditor (share your markup and edits)
  • Multiple formats supported:
    • Shapefile: For ArcGIS Desktop, QGIS, AutoCAD
    • KML: For Google Earth, field apps
    • GeoJSON: For web apps, JavaScript libraries
    • GPX: For GPS devices, navigation
    • CSV: For spreadsheets, databases
  • Projection choice: Export in WGS84, GDA2020, MGA zones, or keep original projection

Real-World Applications:

  • Development applications: Attach professionally-printed maps to council submissions
  • Stakeholder presentations: High-quality visuals for public meetings
  • Field operations: Print maps for crews without internet access
  • Data sharing: Export analysis results for consultants or partners
  • Archiving: PDF maps for permanent records and compliance
  • Reporting: Include maps in Word documents, PowerPoint, or InDesign
  • Public information: Large-format prints for community display boards

Why This Helps: Your analysis isn't finished until it's communicated. Professional print outputs and flexible data exports ensure your work reaches every audience—from council chambers to construction sites to GIS specialists.

User Workflows ​

Workflow 1: Development Impact Assessment ​

Scenario: Assess impact of new development on surrounding area

Steps:

  1. Locate development site:
    • Search for address
    • Or draw polygon on map
  2. Add relevant layers:
    • Zoning
    • Heritage overlays
    • Infrastructure (roads, utilities)
    • Environmental constraints
    • Property boundaries
  3. Buffer analysis:
    • Use Area Summary tool
    • Draw 500m buffer around site
    • Identify affected properties
    • Count impacted parcels
  4. Proximity analysis:
    • Measure distance to schools, parks
    • Find closest infrastructure
    • Check access routes
  5. Generate report:
    • Export analysis results as CSV
    • Print map with development site highlighted
    • Include charts showing affected land uses
  6. Save as bookmark for future reference

Workflow 2: Emergency Response Planning ​

Scenario: Plan evacuation routes for flood event

Steps:

  1. Load flood risk layers:
    • 100-year flood zone
    • Critical infrastructure
    • Evacuation centers
  2. Identify affected areas:
    • Use Spatial Analysis → Intersect
    • Find residential parcels in flood zone
    • Export list of affected addresses
  3. Plan evacuation routes:
    • Measure distances to evacuation centers
    • Identify primary and alternate routes
    • Check road accessibility
  4. Analyze capacity:
    • Count affected population (if available)
    • Compare to evacuation center capacity
    • Identify gaps
  5. Create evacuation map:
    • Highlight evacuation routes
    • Show evacuation centers
    • Mark assembly points
    • Print large-format map (A3L or A2P)
  6. Share findings:
    • Export data for emergency services
    • Create shareable bookmark URL

Workflow 3: Infrastructure Asset Inventory ​

Scenario: Inventory and analyze council assets

Steps:

  1. Add asset layers:
    • Roads
    • Stormwater assets
    • Parks and facilities
    • Street furniture
  2. Filter by criteria:
    • Apply filter: INSTALL_YEAR < 2000
    • Show only aging infrastructure
  3. Summarize by category:
    • Use Area Summary for service area
    • Count assets by type
    • Calculate total replacement value
  4. Create maintenance schedule:
    • Export assets to CSV
    • Group by priority and age
    • Generate work order list
  5. Visualize data:
    • Create pie chart of asset types
    • Bar chart of assets by suburb
    • Export charts for presentation
  6. Map output:
    • Print asset map with legend
    • Save bookmark for monthly review

Tips & Best Practices ​

Performance Optimization ​

For Large Datasets:

  • Apply definition expressions to limit features
  • Turn off unused layers
  • Use scale-dependent visibility
  • Clear graphics after analysis

For Slow Loading:

  • Check internet connection
  • Try different basemap (simpler = faster)
  • Clear browser cache
  • Refresh page

Keyboard Shortcuts ​

ShortcutAction
+ / -Zoom in/out
HomeReset to default extent
EscCancel current drawing/tool
Ctrl+ZUndo (in MapEditor)
Ctrl+C / Ctrl+VCopy/paste geometry
DeleteDelete selected graphic

Basemap Selection ​

For General Use: Topographic or Streets For Property Analysis: Satellite imagery For Print: Light Gray Canvas (clean, professional) For Presentation: Dark Gray Canvas or National Geographic

Symbol Colors ​

Recommendation: Use high-contrast colors for visibility

  • Red for attention/errors
  • Blue for water/infrastructure
  • Green for vegetation/parks
  • Yellow for warnings
  • Avoid red/green for colorblind users

Coordinate Systems ​

WGS84 (EPSG:4326): Global standard, Google Maps compatible GDA2020 (EPSG:7844): Australian standard (replaces GDA94) MGA Zone 55 (EPSG:7855): Tasmania region (meters, conformal)

When to use:

  • Export for Google Earth: WGS84
  • Official Australian datasets: GDA2020
  • Distance/area measurements: MGA55 (planar meters)

Troubleshooting ​

"Layer won't load" ​

Possible Causes:

  • Service is down
  • Incorrect URL
  • Authentication required
  • Definition expression filters all features

Solutions: ✅ Refresh layer (right-click → Refresh) ✅ Check layer properties for errors ✅ Try removing filter ✅ Contact administrator

"Search returns no results" ​

Causes:

  • Misspelling
  • Search field doesn't match
  • Feature doesn't exist in dataset
  • Search source misconfigured

Solutions: ✅ Try partial search (fewer letters) ✅ Check spelling and format ✅ Use coordinate search if address fails ✅ Try different search source

Causes:

  • Too many layers (slow processing)
  • Graphics layer has many features
  • Network timeout
  • Server busy

Solutions: ✅ Turn off unnecessary layers before printing ✅ Simplify graphics ✅ Try smaller format (A4 instead of A2) ✅ Wait a moment and retry ✅ Export as PNG instead of PDF

"Browser crashes with large analysis" ​

Causes:

  • Analyzing too many features (> 50,000)
  • Multiple complex geometries
  • Insufficient browser memory

Solutions: ✅ Apply filters to limit features ✅ Analyze smaller areas ✅ Close other browser tabs ✅ Use definition expression on layer ✅ Contact admin for server-side analysis

Getting Help ​

Documentation: https://doc.insightmaps.app/guide

Feature Guides:

Tips & Best Practices: /guide/tips

Administrator: Contact your organization's InsightMaps administrator for:

  • Adding new data layers
  • Configuring search sources
  • Reporting data issues
  • Requesting new features

Summary ​

InsightMaps brings professional GIS power to your browser, leveraging the advanced capabilities of ArcGIS JS API to deliver enterprise-grade spatial analysis without expensive desktop software or specialized training.

What You Can Achieve:

  • 🗺️ Create context-rich maps with professional basemaps and multiple data layers
  • 🔍 Find anything instantly - addresses, properties, coordinates, or features
  • 📊 Answer spatial questions with buffers, intersections, and statistical analysis
  • ✏️ Draw and edit professionally using 13 geometry operators and precision tools
  • 📈 Communicate with charts that transform data into clear visual stories
  • 🎨 Extract environmental insights from imagery (NDVI, terrain analysis, multispectral)
  • 📏 Measure accurately with survey-grade geodetic calculations
  • 💾 Work with any data - import and export in industry-standard formats
  • 🔖 Save and share complete map configurations for team efficiency
  • 🖨️ Produce publication-quality maps ready for official reports

Who Benefits:

  • GIS analysts: Professional analysis tools without desktop software locks
  • Town planners: Impact assessments, zoning reviews, development tracking
  • Emergency managers: Rapid situation assessment, evacuation planning, resource deployment
  • Asset managers: Infrastructure inventory, maintenance scheduling, condition tracking
  • Environmental consultants: Vegetation monitoring, terrain analysis, site assessment
  • Local government: Service delivery, compliance monitoring, public communication
  • Developers: Feasibility studies, proposal documentation, stakeholder engagement
  • Anyone who asks "where?": Location-based decisions backed by spatial intelligence

The InsightMaps Advantage:

Built on the proven foundation of ArcGIS JS API, InsightMaps delivers capabilities previously available only in expensive desktop GIS software:

  • ✅ No installation required - work from any modern browser
  • ✅ No GIS expertise needed - intuitive interface for immediate productivity
  • ✅ Enterprise-grade accuracy - geodetic calculations and professional projections
  • ✅ Industry-standard compatibility - import/export shapefiles, KML, GeoJSON
  • ✅ Custom enhancements - purpose-built workflows beyond standard Esri products
  • ✅ Cost-effective - browser-based deployment vs. per-seat desktop licenses

Start Making Better Spatial Decisions Today: Whether you're assessing development impacts, managing infrastructure, planning emergency responses, or monitoring environmental change, InsightMaps gives you the tools to work faster, decide smarter, and communicate clearly.